The International 2023 Power Rankings: A Look at All The International 2023 Competitors and Their Path to the Main Tournament of the Year

From 12th to 29th October our screens will be filled with The International 2023. This is a special tournament for Dota 2 fans and an important event for the esports industry. The International is not to be missed, and The International 2023 is even more so.

For the 2023 season, The International is getting a makeover for the first time in a long time. Firstly, the tournament returns to its roots in Seattle, and secondly, Valve has changed the format: the group stage and play-offs are divided into two phases, and each match has more weight. But some things remain the same. It's the participants of the main event of the year.

The International 2023 will feature 18 of the best teams in the world, who have been working for a ticket all year. We decided to talk briefly about each of the participants, tell their journey to the final tournament of the season and analyse their prospects.

20. Keyd Stars

How they did at The International 2023: winning the South America Qualifiers.

The International 2023 is a historic tournament for South America, as for the first time 4 representatives of the region will take to the main stage. Among them are the Keyd Stars, nominally South America's top 3.

Keyd Stars look like an extra guest at the celebration of life called The International. Victory at The International 2023 - South America Qualifiers was the only milestone achievement of the year, so there is no need to talk about Keyd Stars' prospects at the tournament. The maximum programme is to get through the first phase of the group stage.

19. Virtus.pro

How they got to The International 2023: Victory at Eastern Europe Qualifiers.

Virtus.pro is a titled club with a rich history. But apart from it, they have nothing left.

All season Vp played in the hothouse conditions of their home league, where they finished top-4 three times. It looks pretty good, but if you dig deeper, there are no revelations in this result: Eastern Europe is devoid of competition outside the context of Spirit, BB and 9 Pandas. Apart from the aforementioned three, there is no one to play there and show results, and Virtus.pro is a living example of that. The team made its mark at the Riyadh Masters 2023, where it failed to jump above the top-20.

Even against the background of nominally weak teams that made it to The International 2023 through the qualifiers, Vp look pale. Passing the first stage of the group stage is an achievement for them.

18. Thunder Awaken

How they got to The International 2023: Top 2 at South America Qualifiers.

Thunder Awaken were the fourth and final South American competitor at The International 2023. However, at the main championship of the season they need to improve the situation and bypass at least Keyd Stars, which they failed to do during the qualifiers.

All year Thunder Awaken fought to get to the Major, but failed to make at least one of them. And they were in close proximity to the international stage: TA took the top 3 at DPC SA 2023 Tour 2: Division 1 and DPC SA 2023 Tour 3: Division 1, but it was not enough. The International 2023 will be a chance to get even with their regional counterparts, and at the same time finally perform on the international stage, where they have been unable to reach for a year.

17. Nouns

How they did at The International 2023: winning the North America Qualifiers

We continue our review of The International 2023 participants with team Nouns. A team from which you should expect nothing, but which can take a shot due to the "dark horse" factor.

The Nouns are top-3 in North America, which in 2023 doesn't sound too encouraging. However, in their case, things are not as dire as they may seem at first glance. During the season, the team attended several major international events: DreamLeague Season 19 and The Bali Major 2023. Although they failed to achieve significant results, Nouns gained the necessary experience, which, coupled with the recent signing of legendary Peruvian K1, should help them at least in the group stage.

16. TSM

How they did at The International 2023: DPC #11.

TSM won the lottery ticket. There's simply no other way to describe how they got to The International.

Frankly speaking, their getting to The International is a clear marker of the hole in the modern DPC system. All they boasted for the year was two Top-1 finishes in the North American DPC League, and a complete failure outside of it: Top-14 at Lima Major, Top-18 at ESL One Berlin, and Top-14 at DreamLeague Season 20 and Riyadh Masters 2023.

Riyadh Masters 2023.

It seems the best they can claim is midway through the first round of the group stage.

15. Team SMG

How they did at The International 2023: winning the SEA Qualifiers.

Team SMG are the quThe International essentials of Dota 2 in Southeast Asia. In the 2023 season, it was SEA that became the most serious regional competition, and the qualifiers for The International only made sure of that.

At the qualifiers for the main tournament of the year, Team SMG looked monumental and took the slot with ease. And this is despite the fact that for the whole season (not including qualifications for TI) SMG's best result was getting into the TOP-16 of ESL One Berlin Major 2023.

Taking into account the experience of SMG players, they are quite capable to pass the first stage of the group stage, and even fight in the second round.

14. Entity

How they did at The International 2023: Top 1 at WEU Qualifiers.

Entity is hard to pin down to any of the "camps" of The International. They seem like a good and strong team, but on the other hand, they're not.

The European club kept afloat in the first half of the year, but then something went wrong: Top-4 at DPC WEU 2023 Tour 1: Division 1 and subsequent Top-6 at Lima Major 2023 turned into Top-16 at DreamLeague Season 19 and Top-6 at DPC WEU 2023 Tour 3: Division 1.

Before Long Sogpeg The International 2023: Western Europe Qualifiers Entity invited Gabbi for the third position and the bet on the legionnaire played out. They won the most competitive qualification without any problems, which means they can compete in the two stages of the group stage and even qualify for the play-offs.

13. Azure Ray

How they did at The International 2023: victory at China Qualifiers.

Azure Ray is another attempt to cash in on nostalgia and big names. The legendary Chinese Somnus M, fy and Chalice are back together and will once again try to lift Aegis over their heads.

The names to win are decent, but the form and performance leave much to be desired. Azure Ray finished top-4 at DPC CN 2023 Tour 3: Division 1 and then top-8 at Bali Major 2023. With a win at the qualifiers from China, they confirmed the potential, but it's too little to cbetting tipNNEW their position at TI.

12. Shopify Rebellion

How they got to The International: DPC #7.

Shopify Rebellion will arrive at The International 2023 as the first North American team, but that's where their status ends. For the year, the prominent American club finished Top 4 at The Lima Major 2023 and Top 3 at DreamLeague Season 19, as well as Top 12 ESL One Berlin Major 2023. The second half of the year was a complete failure, failing to rise above the top-12 on the international stage.

If they make it through the group stage, it will be solely due to the vast experience of their players. They have it, there's no denying it.

11. BB Team

How they did at The International 2023: DPC #12.

BB Team jumped on the last carriage of the outgoing train thanks to their good play first of all on the regional stage. For the year they have Top 1, Top 2 and Top 3 in DPC leagues, which is not surprising for a roster assembled for home domination.

On the international scene, BB Team shone with a Top-2 finish at DreamLeague Season 20 and a Top-6 finish at the Riyadh Masters. All in all, they gained momentum towards the end of the year, which should be enough to make it to the play-offs of The International 2023.

10. Quest Esports

How they did at The International 2023: Top 2 at WEU Qualifiers.

Quest Esports shot up at the end of the season and almost made it to The International 2023 directly. Bali Major 2023 was two series short and so Quest Esports had to fight their way through the toughest qualification. They did, but barely.

With the experience gained during the season, Quest are capable of making it through the group stage. It won't be easy, but it's realistic.

9. Nine Pandas

How they got to The International 2023: DPC #4.

9 Pandas became a kind of season opener. They broke into the top of the Dota 2 world rankings quite unexpectedly, climbing into the top 3 at ESL One Berlin Major 2023. In addition, the Pandas made it to the top 6 at Bali Major 2023 and Riyadh Masters 2023.

The team is quite stable, as for the representative of Eastern Europe and have all chances to climb to high places during The International.

8. Evil Geniuses

How they got to The International 2023: DPC #5.

EG is the first team from South America and a pretty serious opponent for most teams playing at The International. The Peruvians have performed well on the international stage, finishing in the top 6 at Lima Major 2023, DL Season 19 and DL Season 20.

However, doubts about the Peruvians' ability remain. Towards the end of the season, they failed at Bali Major 2023 and Riyadh Masters 2023, finishing top-18 at the former and top-12 at Riyadh Masters 2023.

In general, top South American teams have always caused trouble and this time should be no exception.

7. beastcoast

How they got to The International 2023: DPC #9.

Beastcoast are very similar to Evil Geniuses in terms of performance, and therefore are in neighbouring positions in the rankings. On the international stage, they finished top-12 at Lima Major 2023 and top-8 at Bali Major 2023, but have won twice at home.

The team has credibility and at the same time my faith in them. I'm sure the group stage will be within their reach.

6. LGD Gaming

How they got to The International 2023: DPC #6.

LGD Gaming should be an order of magnitude lower on this list, but still the status of the club obliges to put them higher. Xioa8 knows how to create championship lineups, although it failed to do so on the season.

LGD Gaming have won the domestic league twice, but have had mixed results on the international stage. They are top-12 in Lima and Berlin, top-3 at DL Season 20 top-12 at Riyadh Masters 2023.

Ahead of Longsong The International 2023, LGD lost their title sponsor PSG. Perhaps with the brand gone - will the curse of bad luck at TI also go away?

5. Talon Esports

How they did at The International 2023: DPC #8.

Talon Esports are constantly in "dark horse" status and constantly outdoing themselves. Such was the case this season when Talon made it to the Top 3 at Lima Major 2023, Top 4 at DL Season 20 and Top 3 at Riyadh Masters 2023.

Towards the end of the year, the already good performance improved. And what is not a reason to believe in Talon's success? Southeast Asia is closer than ever to high results at The International.

4. Tundra Esports

How they did at The International 2023: DPC #3.

The reigning champions of The International will be defending their title. They have come a long way to do so: from top 3 in the first round of DPC, to top 1 in the last round. 4th place at DreamLeague Season 19, Top 10 at DL Season 20 and finally Top 3 at Bali Major 2023.

The whole year Tundra was accompanied by personnel problems related to Saksa's health. As a result, the Macedonian went to the bench, Nine moved to the 4th position, and the legendary Topson came to the mid. It all looks tempting, and it's definitely a top-4 team.

3. Team Spirit

How they got to The International 2023: DPC #10.

All year long, Spirit have been lurking on the sidelines. Even at home in Eastern Europe, the champions of The International 10 had problems and couldn't guarantee a unanimous lead.

Spirit's situation changed significantly towards the end of the season, at the Riyadh Masters 2023. "Dragons" seemed to wake up from their slumber and took the championship trophy, significantly lowering their morale before the Long Corner of The International.

If they manage to keep the same spirit as they had in Riyadh, Spirit will make it to the play-offs and give a serious fight to all participants of the championship. We've already seen this story in 2021.

2. Team Liquid

How they got to The International 2023: DPC #1.

Liquid have had a near benchmark year, but in doing so, they are the major underdog of the season. "Liquid" have finished in 5 (!) second places in the last 12 months: The Lima Major 2023, DreamLeague Season 19, ESL One Berlin Major 2023, Bali Major 2023 and Riyadh Masters 2023.

The International 2023 could be a key point for the current Liquid if they overcome their mental issues and fear of winning. I don't have any other explanation for why Liquid are consistently second.

1. Gaimin Gladiators

How they got to The International 2023: DPC #2.

There can be no other candidate to lead the Power Rankings. Gaimin Gladiators have already written their name in the annals of Dota 2 and at The International 2023 they will have a chance to secure their place there for good. They have everything going for them:

• Insane performance over the season - 3 Major wins and 2 cups of prestigious tournaments;
• A sea of experience;
• The desire to play anywhere and everywhere;
• Top-notch performers.

The circumstances are more than good, but at The International an impeccable portfolio does not guarantee victory. GG will have to sweat, because all of the previously mentioned competitors will be preparing for the "gladiator" particularly closely.